Omicron Scare: West Bengal shuts schools, colleges until further orders

The decision to close schools was taken after reviewing the current COVID-19 situation in the state and amid concerns of the first-spreading Omicron variant, a government statement said.

Amid the rise in Omicron cases in the state, the West Bengal Government has announced the closure of schools, colleges and other educational institutions from today, i.e. January 3 onwards. The decision has also been taken considering the rise in COVID-19 cases in the state along with Omicron. 

The decision to close schools was taken after reviewing the current COVID-19 situation in the state and amid concerns of the first-spreading Omicron variant, a government statement said.

“All academic activities in schools, colleges and universities shall remain closed. Only administrative activities shall be permitted with 50 per cent of employees at a time,” the government order stated.

Earlier this week, the Delhi government had announced the closure of all educational institutions to contain the spread of the new variant. West Bengal is the second state in the country to have completely shut down the educational institutions this month. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a meeting last week during which she directed the officials to review the overall COVID-19 situation in the state and suggested schools, colleges to be shut down for some time if the situation demands.

"COVID-19 cases are on the rise... there are a few Omicron cases also. So, review the situation in the state. We may consider closing down schools and colleges for some time," Ms Banerjee had told officials at the meeting.

On December 31, the West Bengal School Education Department asked teachers and non-teaching staffers having cough, cold or mild fever to not attend schools till they test negative for COVID-19.

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